Maiden of the Birds
5″ x 7″, Copic markers, Micron pens, Uniball Signo gel pen
Submitted for the topic “Tension” at Illustration Friday. That’s Phyllis up there, the sheep bird. And beside her, Jules (pink) and Harold. The little one on the bird feeder is Sybil. It looks calm right now, but Phyllis rules the place with an iron claw. Particularly if someone else has encroached upon what she feels is the proper amount of space for a creature of her stature. It can get a bit tense up there!
The Night City Maiden (2 versions)
5″ x 7″ Copic markers, Micron pens
I intended for this one to have a black background, but I am not sure about the best way to accomplish that. The dark version above has a simple a black background added digitally. Looking at these side by side, it definitely looks better dark, especially with the stars. I suppose a brush would do the best coverage, and I may even have one, and some ink. I hate to think of coloring the background with marker. But brushed ink is likely to warp the paper. Eeek! If you have any tips, please share!
No progress pics because I did both of these while out of town! (It also explains the color palette, which was limited by what I brought with me!) These are maidens 95 and 96 (but might not be loaded over there yet). Thanks for stopping in!
The animals are beautiful, but her emerald eyes are mesmerizing!
Really fun stuff Cindy!! Last week, a chickadee landed on the arm of the chair I was sitting in out in the yard, and started touching my arm!! If I had that earring, I might have been able to make sense of it!! (But an AMAZINGLY cool experience BECAUSE there was no explanation for it!!) I’m also loving the city versions!! As always, so creative!
Is the Maiden of the Birds are recent graduate of a school of feathery magic? That’s one very cool mortar board!
Great concept!!! And that sheep bird, what can I say? Magical…
Love these! Especially the look in her eyes…
If the paper is very thin, I’d use the marker. If not, then go for the ink? I love the headresses :)
Lovely colors and imaginative creatures as always! Like others have mentioned, I love the maiden’s eyes!
This is a great idea…I would hate to see all that birds mess on her back though Cinders!
Ewww! Good point! I should have mentioned that as a magical bird keeper, she does not get messed upon!
:)
Oh My Gosh, my African Grey parrot would LOVE that silly perch hat. Sitting up high above my 6’3″ height and moving about the house without any effort on his part. But I think I would hate it. haha.
Fantastic! I can see the use of micron pens……the details are incredible. Love the wood grain textures, bird swirls, and sheep textures. Great imagination!
The Maiden is a lass of many quiet talents, maintaining such calm composure amidst so much tomfoolery. While Phyllis does seem to have everything under control, it looks like Jules and Harold are in cahoots, planning a coup…Sybil is wise to stay out of it. ;)
re: The background, I might try cutting out the figures and stars. Glue the stars directly on a piece of black cardstock or heavyweight paper, and mount the Maiden and friends cutout using thick sticky dots so that the figures are raised up away from the background.
Cheers! :)
Fab idea, Nik! Though I am hesitant with regard to my scissor skills.
My first thought was, “oh my gosh, she’s combined the beasts and the maidens! Genius!” And then I saw that you’d done it with the villages too. They are all just beautiful!
My opinion is that marker would make you the happiest for the background on your Night City Maiden. If you do the background in another medium, it might call too much attention to itself instead of working behind and with the maiden. The digital background works well too because it doesn’t compete! I’m sure whatever you choose to do will look fabulous.
I agree that the night city maiden looks better with the dark background. It makes her more mysterious. I don’t really have any suggestions on how to accomplish that, except I think watercolor would warp the picture, too.
She’s awesome, Cindy.
Your imagination (and ability to express it both in words and in images) is amazing. What would think of using pastels for the dark background? Applying color with the entire length of the pastel may cover the large area almost as quickly as a brush and add some interesting yet subtle texture?
Bird brain? More like birds on the brain! Hehehe, this is fantastic! That sheep bird is rockin’! I almost missed Sybil there, but glad I didn’t. She’s cute. Great colors here! You always have the best ideas. Love the lady with the city hat, too. Could be an idea for the next statue of liberty, no? :)
Have an excellent and creative summer!